Apple-gage.



H. M. HOIT.

APPLE GAGE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, m4.

Patented June 8, 1915.

A TTO/SNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS 60., FHOTC-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. C.

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HENRY M. norm, or Lownn NACI- IES VALLEY, WASHINGTON.

APPLE-GAGE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. Horr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lower Naches Valley, in the county of Yakima and State of Washington, have invented certain new and usefulv Improvements in Apple-Gages, of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to grading articles as to size, with a particular reference to fruit which is packed in containers having all the fruit of one size, and the main object thereof is to provide a device for quickly determining the relative sizes of apples, oranges, and the like, and without any injury to the fruit; a further object is to provide such a device which permits the entry of the article to be graded at either side.

thereof, thus making it possible for a person so grading fruit to work with both hands, or with either hand; a further object is to provide such a device whichis very simple in construction and use, composed of but few parts not likely to get out of order to require repair, which renders the reading of the graduated scale very easy, which may be made of diflerent sizes for different uses, and which is comparatively inexpensive.

My invention is fully described in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts are designated by the same reference characters in each of the views,

and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a present preferred form of my invention, with an apple therein for grading as to size; and Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings forming a part of this application I have shown a base 5 having a vertical plate 6 thereon and which is provided with a graduated scale 7 thereon whereby the movement of a pointer 8 thereover may be read, said pointer being pivoted to the plate 6 at 9, centrally thereof, and at the center of the are upon which the scale is marked.

Secured to the plate 6 is a horizontal, yoke-shaped, support 10 and I connect two rods 11 and 12 to said support and to the plate 6, and to the former pivotally connect a dependent strip of metal, or the like, 13, and to the latter a similar strip 14, and which strips have inwardly directed flanges connected therewith, as shown at 15 and 16,

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed July 8, 1914. Serial No. 845,705.

Patented. June 8,1915.

for the passage of therods '11 and-12, where- I 17 is at a predetermined height above the base 5, according to the size of the articles to be gaged or graded.

Pivotally connected with the flange 16 of the strip 11 is a bar 18 which is in turn pivoted to a link 19 pivoted to the pointer 8, above the pivotal point 9, the pivot 20 of the bar. 18 and link 19 being passed through a horizontal slot 21 in the plate 6, and said slot, pivot .9, and pivot 22 of the bar 18 and flange 16, are all in g the same horizontal plane under normal conditions, as are also the rods 11 and 12, for a reason later pointed out, the pointer beingnormally at the extreme left hand of the scale.

In view of this arrangement if the pivot 22 of the strip 1 1 and bar 18 be moved out of alinement, above orbelow the horizontal plane above mentioned, the bar 18 is drawn toward the rod 12, as is also the sliding link 19, thus swinging the pointer 8 on its pivot 9 and such movement of thepivot 22 out of alinement results if the strip 14 is moved out of the normal vertical position by swinging the plate 17 in the manner of a pendulum in order to increase the normal space between the plate 17 and the base 5, the degree of such movement being indicated by the pointer on the scale, and this increase of space may be accomplished by swinging the plate 17 in either direction, as well as recording the degree of such movement.

In practice, the article to be graded as to size is slid longitudinally upon the base 5 and, in such movement, impinges upon the tion with said plate, articles may be passed beneath said plate from either end of the base and the size thereof registered on the scale and, because of the curved ends and comparative lightness of "the plate 17, fruit may be so graded Without danger of bruising the same.

It has heretofore been the practice to first sort the fruit for quality, after which it is delivered to the packer in a, box -containing all sizes, who packs the fruit in different boxes according to size,-the accuracy ofzthe packing depending: upon the experience and accuracy of eye of the packer to determine the size, but by means of this device there is no necessityfor experienced packers, as anyone can pack when the fruit has been separated into sizes, and I thus secure a uniformly accurate packat less expense than at present.

My device is very simple in construction and use, may be made entirely of .sheet metal, or even of wood, and. being composed of few parts, is not likely to get out of order and, reserving the right to make such changes over the form, shown as come within the scope ,of thefollowing claims.

WVha't I claim as new, and desire. to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. .A device of the class described, comprising; awbase, a vertical plate supported thereon and provided with a. horizontally disposed. slot, a pointer pivoted on said plate,

a bar pivoted to said pointer and guided in said slot, two rods on said plate in perpendicular relationship therewith and equidistant from said base, a strip dependent from P- each rod and pivotally connected therewith, means for operatively connecting one of said strips with said bar, and a swinging .pla-tein pivotal connection with said strips,

at the lower ends thereof, and arranged parallel to said base.

- 2. A device of the icla'ssrd'escribed, comprising a base, a vertical plate supported thereon and provided with a-..horizontally disposed slot, a pointer pivoted on said plate a bar pivotedto. saidpointer and guided in saidslot, two rods on said plate in perpendicular relationship therewith and equidistant-from said base, a'strip depend ent from "eachrod :and,pivotal-ly connected therewith, alink connecting said bar with oneof saidstrips, and a swinging plate in pivotal; connection with #said ,strips, at the lower; ends: thereof, and arranged parallel to Copies of this patent maybe obtained'for five; cents each, by addressing the :Oommissionen of Patents,

. 'Washington D. +8. 

